The slimmed-down Cumbrians will have only 17 senior professionals on their books once the releases of Darren Kelly, Paul Raven and Michael Jack are confirmed. All three are in negotiations with the club to pay off their contracts, which each have another year to run. Simpson is close to capturing 22-year-old striker Karl Hawley, who has grabbed five goals in pre-season so far and who has been offered a contract for the coming season. The young forward is mulling it over but Simpson is confident he will sign up on the dotted line. The player-manager undergoes surgery this week on a knee problem and the ex-Manchester City, Derby and Wolves star, who turned 38 today, is resigned to missing the opening weeks of the Conference campaign. "Karl has done really well and took his three goals superbly while we were in the Isle of Man. I've made him an offer so I'm just waiting for him to come back to me now. He's a different kind of striker to what we have as he can hold the ball up but he also has decent pace," said Simpson of his potential new signing. The Carlisle boss will be running his eye over another possible new recruit when Barnsley midfielder Chris Lumsdon gets a run-out in Tuesday night's visit to Lancaster City. "Barnsley manager Paul Hart has said he is available and he is a good passer of the ball who is able to weigh in with his fair share of goals. He would be a good addition for us and I hope he can play against Lancaster and then Hartlepool on Saturday. I'm also hoping to get another couple of trialists in for Saturday's game. One is a defender and the other can play in midfield or at full-back," added the United boss. Picture from News & Star |
